CategoryReviews

The holidays are always a busy time at the box office. Whether it’s big-budget blockbusters trying to capitalize on audiences having time off or awards contenders barely squeaking by the deadline, there are plenty of options to check out. Here are some of our favorite new releases from this holiday season to save you from going to see “Cats.”

Despite being overwhelmed by two films worth of exposition and plot condensed into one, “The Rise of Skywalker” provides enough satisfying moments to pass as an acceptable finale to the Skywalker Saga. It’s sure to be controversial, revealing rewritten answers to some of the franchise’s biggest questions, and perhaps raising more than it answers – but there’s enough fan service and nostalgia inside to make it work, as long as you don’t think too hard about what actually happens.

Each year, a handful of newcomers step into the spotlight and truly blow audiences away. Whether it’s on the big screen, in a Netflix series, or in some cases, maybe even both, these rising stars quickly cement themselves as some of the best in the business.

Early in August, the first Fast and the Furious spinoff movie hit theaters, and “Hobbs & Shaw” quickly became one of the summer’s biggest box office hits. Now, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne The Rock Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) are bringing their high-speed adventure plus over 80 minutes of bonus features straight into your home on Digital, 4K UHD, Blu-Ray and DVD.

When it comes to carrying on the tale of Anna and Elsa, “Frozen II” is fine, however, it does so in a way that’s devoid of any of the heart or purpose that made audiences fall for the story in the first place.

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” plays out very much like the painting of a masterpiece. It takes its time, slowly sketching out the skeleton. Its movements are careful and tender. Eventually, the details are filled in, and all of the elements come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.